meet Roddy Bray

Roddy Bray created the GreatGuides.Org initiative, expressing his love for Africa and the passionate people working in conservation and social development.

The Twelve Apostles, above Camps Bay in Cape Town

Originally from the UK, I spent a 'gap year' in a Cape Town township in the late 1980s. A state of emergency was in force, trying to quash the 'ungovernable' black majority clamouring for change. I was soon caught up in the revolutionary spirit in South Africa, and at the same time bewitched by the beauty of Cape Town.

One year turned into twenty and I saw the fall of apartheid and the rise of Nelson Mandela to the Presidency. I watched the country embrace reconciliation as 'the rainbow nation', hammer out a radically liberal constitution, and face its demons in the Truth Commission. I have lived through the dramatic transition that has occurred, with its ‘miracles’ and failures.

In the mid-90s I wrote a Masters thesis in Anthropology that studied the political transition and its effect on NGOs, and this helped me become established as a specialist tour guide for groups wanting to understand the country in greater depth. My work in tourism developed and I started my own company in 2000 that continues to offer private tailored-made tours in East and southern Africa.

I have worked extensively in very poor urban townships, like Khayelitsha, promoting not-for-profit initiatives. I also re-established and managed the work of the WorldTeach programme in South Africa, running winter-school programmes in Masiphumelele and placing volunteers in schools as teachers.

I am very grateful for my experiences in South Africa. It is a beautiful and rich country, that must constantly grapple with its intense history. It is the world’s workshop, capable of glory and disaster, facing difficult challenges in every respect. I have learned much here.

Flags over Cape Town Castle represent the history of South Africa

The variety of my experiences in South Africa gave me a wonderful network among inspiring people and insight into the country. Out of this emerged the 'GreatGuides' website. I trust that you will benefit from my recordings and other media, which reflect my passion: to learn, and to share that knowledge.

Hi Roddy
Please can you send me a rate sheet for the Historical tours you have in Cape Town /South Africa .I live in Vic Falls and do historical guiding and often get requests for other historical experiences in Southern Africa and would like tom pass them on
Best regards
Mark

Great Guides is a great concept... a must-see for anyone interested in travel, people, culture and nature! Thanks for all the hard work you've put into this incredible resource. Petra Vandecasteele, SA